Varela is one of the best-known women poets of Peru. She published nine books of poems, including Ese puerto existe (1959), Luz de día (1963), Camino a Babel (1986), and El falso teclado (2001). In 2001, she was awarded the prestigious Premio Octavio Paz.

While living in DC, from 1957 to 1960, Varela wrote journalism and did translations.